yoga questions and answers

The question I have been asking myself is what kind of a class do I want to offer my students? I have only attended a few classes with a live instructor most of my yoga study is on video.  Instructional video’s  are  good and I learned a lot using them but you can’t beat a live class.   The classes I have taken at the bodhi Yoga center have been exceptional classes.  I hope to incorporate the things I have learned there when I teach.

1.       The environment should be clean and bright. Free from distraction, such as cell phones and outside noise. And a place that fosters personal reflection and focus on personal practice.

2.       Friendliness is also important, to feel a part of the collective and be welcomed as part of the class even if you are at a different level than others in the class. there shouldn’t  be a feeling of  competition with other students.

3.        I want to offer a balanced practice starting with seated postures and vinyasas, standing postures, forward folds twists and back bends . Counter postures between the poses so overworking one muscle group will be avoided.

4.        And an appropriate length of savasana at the end of the class is very important some say 5min. for every 30min.in your personal practice. You can let the wisdom of your body decide. Savasana is an important time for relaxation. Just relax and unwind completely. Your body and mind will have the time needed to integrate and assimilate what you have just learned, and assist your body In the repair of organs and muscle tissue.

5.       Hands on adjusting  is important. Adjusting  your body  trains your muscles to feel the pose . Adjustments align your body so you are in the correct alignment to deepen a pose. Not to mention it feels nice to get a greater stretch.

6.       I have been looking around at different styles of classes and there are some things that I definitely don’t work for me. But I’ll just keep them to myself for now.

So that is my initiall list of components for  great yoga class. Hope to see you there.

Namaste,Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Yoga where do I go from here?

The practice of yoga for me is a grand adventure, for the mind, body and spirit. In yoga there are the obvious benefits for the body such as improved memory, reduced stress, decreased anxiety and improved productivity in all aspects of life. As of late I have been thinking about pushing my edges. A saying I learned from Syl Carson in a Bodhi yoga class. What is pushing your edges?  I love to ski and pushing the edge on skis would facilitate a turn, there is a similarity with yoga pushing your edges facilitates a turn but this turn is inward. Doing my best to perform an asana and being present in body and mind.  This is yoga for the mind. Pushing my edges can also be looking inward to see who I really am. Pushing the edges of what I believe, and can I expand what I believe.  This in my opinion, is yoga for the spirit.  So if you are wondering what you might find in a yoga class you just might find yourself. Namaste cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Questions about yoga

Is yoga beneficial?

 I went to the Museum of Idaho and saw the Bodies Exhibition.( It was awesome.) it’s a exhibition of real bodies  they show all the body parts and body systems the circulatory system was so amazing they had a body that they had removed everything but the heart, veins and arteries.

So how does that relate with yoga being beneficial? I’m paraphrasing but they said that deep breathing benefits the body similar to aerobic exercise. I thought that was news worthy. I just wanted to encourage anyone who is thinking about getting more exercise to try yoga and Ujjayi breathing it does the body good. I have been teaching a chair yoga class as part of my certification as a yoga instructor. The class is a group of retired people who get together every day to walk and we do yoga twice a week. In class we stretch and do asana poses that can be done in a seated position and of course we start each class with deep breathing. One of my class members stated that she walked up a flight of stairs and didn’t have to stop to catch her breath. We are seeing positive results in only a few weeks.

Namaste Cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

yoga class

What will I experience at yoga class?

In the words of Syl Carson,( My instructor Teacher)( Yoga is a activity. Observance, Action inquiry, ect. That you do. That helps you feel balanced.)

In my practice of yoga I feel myself moving into balance when I practice ujjayi  pranayama breathing . At first it was different and a little hard to get used to but now I practice ujjayi every day . when I practice ujjayi breathing  I can focus on my inhalations and exhalations. The breathing sounds like the soothing sounds of the ocean waves. I find this practice relaxing and invigorating, it has many health benefits like lowering blood pressure. Ujjayi  pranayama breathing  can relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue,  and  relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, To list a few. I like the meditation of just focusing on the breath .Ujjayi opens my lungs increasing lung capacity and releases stored toxins.  I feel great after ujjayi pranayama practice. I recommend everyone check into a yoga class that offers ujjayi pranayama breathing feel the benefits for yourself. Namaste  cheri

Bodhi Yoga.

Yoga mind body spirit

Yoga Mind Body Spirit

What is Yoga? Yoga integrates the mind, body and spirit.

How will yoga make you feel?  

         Mind: yoga awakens your mind by pushing personal boundaries

and exploring new personal best. Understanding how to let go

and release old paradigms and false beliefs.

        Body: for the body regular practice uses all the muscles of the body for

a leaner stronger body. And it’s a fun workout.

     Spirit: the regular practice of Yoga teaches you to know your authentic self.

By deepening positive beliefs, and integrating your truth into your life.

Bodhi Yoga.

Feeding the Gunas

Bohdi  Yoga

I just read an article online @ abc-of-yoga.com by jennibagus.

 I recommend that you read it.

In her article she divides food into a Tamasic, Rajasic and a Sattvic groups.

They are as follows:

 Tomastic foods include, meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions and garlic vinegar and fermented food. Also, stale or overripe substances. Overeating is considered Tamasic. These foods benefit nether the mind or the body.

Some foods that are considered Rajastic are very hot bitter sour dry or salty including stimulants in coffee and tea. Fish, eggs, salt, and chocolate. Eating in a hurry is also Rajasic. Rajasic destroys mind-body equilibrium. Feeding the body at the expense of the mind.

Sattvic food nourishes the body and maintains a peaceful state. These foods include cereal, wholemeal bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, pure fruit juice, milk, butter, cheese, nuts, seeds, honey, and herb tea.

I am surprised that milk butter and cheese are on the Sattvic food list, but I am happy to see that. I really like them. I really enjoy vinegar, however. I also use onions and garlic in medicinal remedies. I am surprised to see them on the Tomastic list.

I plan on following a plan of eating more from the Sattvic food list, I want to see how balanced this will make me feel. I want refocus the equilibrium of my mind, and body energy.

Bodhi Yoga.

More about Guna energy

Bodhi Yoga

(The Three Gunas again, are the three ways that Prakriti manifests herself into the physical.) Syl Carson

In everyday life I see the Gunes manifest. I am giving three examples.
 Rajasic: energy when I shop at the Wal-mart I feel rajasic energy. I have ask a number of people if their perception  is the same as mine and they all agree. (They feel it too.)
The lighting makes my eyes squint. They keep moving merchandise around so I have trouble locating what i'm looking for.Things  don't seem to me to be in any logical order, for instance why are the shoe laces in sporting goods and not with the shoes. The energy there makes me just want to get what I need and get out as fast as I can. I have a list but I sometimes just throw things in the cart just to hurry things along so I can be done. So many people all rushing around.

Tamasic: energy:
Monday morning, guess I don't need to elaborate.

Sattva energy :
I pulled into the driveway and caught a glimpse of the moon. It is about noon but he day is overcast and there isn't any sun to burn off the last bit of fog.  The moon is  gorgeous, glowing like a crystal ball, shining bright in the fog and the grey clouds moving slowly across the face of the moon. It was fantastic! I stopped to admire the beauty of that moment.

Bodhi Yoga.